Just my opinion
By Raïssa Robles
On its own, the Catholic Church can greatly help reduce corruption and political dynasties by banning all elected officials from standing as “ninong” or “ninang” in weddings and baptisms of those not related to them up to the second degree. The ban can be lifted the moment the politician leaves office.
I know it goes against the grain of Philippine culture. And I know I sound naive, maybe even un-Filipino. But let’s face it: this is one practice that has enabled politicians to extend their political influence way beyond their bloodline. It has allowed them to convert non-relatives and strangers into one vast, extended political network based on personality, favors and largesse. The unspoken agreement is that the newlyweds will be obliged to the politician-sponsor never mind if he had been involved in an anomaly or he was non-performing. In return, the politician might give jobs, government contracts or other political favors to his “inaanak” (godchild) or the latter’s parents.
I am asking the bishops to do this because they have long advocated a change in the political culture of patronage and this will be an immense contribution to that change. I am also challenging them to walk their talk.
Because of this practice, Filipino politicians have always focused on building political networks based on personal ties, gratitude and favors (paid for perhaps using taxpayers’ money) rather than on political principles or public service Government procedures in hiring and bidding and licensing are bent to accommodate godchildren and their parents.
In the Catholic faith – at least according to the priests who give couples a spiritual talk before marriage – wedding sponsors are people expected to guide the newlyweds in their new life, including in the spiritual aspect.
But this is just mostly talk. The reality is that the “godfather” practice has long been perverted by politicians as a way to keep them in office indefinitely. I remember Joseph Estrada, when he was a mere senator, telling us Senate reporters that his days were filled with going to every “kasal, binyag, libing” all over the country. He credited his vast network of “inaanak“, which he started building up as a town mayor, to his election to the upper legislature.
When the crowd started gathering along the Edsa highway to pressure Estrada to give up the presidency in January 2001, then Cavite Governor Ramon “Bong” Revilla stepped onto the makeshift stage at Edsa and shouted, “Ninong, bumaba ka na.” (“Step down, Godfather.”)
The fact that Revilla called Estrada “Ninong” showed that the relationship had meant something to him.
The practice is rampant and socially acceptable, it seems. Some journalists even ask sitting high officials to be their wedding sponsors.
The Catholic Church and Philippine politics have long allowed the practice of ordinary people acquiring a powerful “Ninong” politician.
However, the same is also practiced by wealthy businessmen whenever they marry off their children or have them baptized in Church. It is in these situations where the practice can seriously pervert governance and lead to corruption, especially when these wealthy businessmen need government approval of franchises or contracts or licenses or state permits for their corporations. How many times has a high government official overruled a disapproval by a subordinate official in order to favor a godchild or a parent of his godchild?
That politicians expect something in return for becoming a “ninong“or “ninong” – and this relationship was not just for any spiritual or Christ-like purpose – was brought home to me by some remarks made publicly by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. In his published memoir, Enrile indicated that he expects some form of gratitude from his godchildren, and they should help him in turn when he is in need.
On page 672 of his memoir, Enrile talked about how one of his godchildren failed him big time when he was arrested by the government over the 1989 coup attempt. He wrote:
“that coup attempt forced the government to act against me with even more vehemence. No less than then Secretary of Justice Franklin Drilon who came from ACCRA, the law firm which I set up years before and who was my wedding godson when he married his first wife, Violata Calvo, ordered me to be charged with the crime of ‘rebellion complexed with murder and other serious offenses’ – a crime that the Supreme Court had long ruled as non-existent in the landmark subversion case of People vs. Hernandez and People vs. Lava.”
Again in 2013, when Enrile delivered a privilege speech in the Senate lambasting fellow Senator Miriam Santiago, he also pointed to the fact that Senator Miriam was his godchild:
“But levity aside, what I know, Mr. President, is that after her graduation from the UP College of Law and her bar examination, I hired her in 1969 to work for me in the Department of Justice where I was then the Secretary of Justice. When she got married, she asked me and my wife to be her wedding sponsors.”
Dear Bishops, please ask around – how many godchildren does the average Filipino politician have? Or the top politicians have? And where do you think they get the money to buy the wedding and baptismal gifts? Do they charge it to their office representational expenses – in other words, to our taxes? How many political favors have they granted to their “inaanak” and their parents? How many political favors have they asked in return?
Do you think this “religious” relationship leads to better governance? Or perverts democracy?
Please remember that the most famous “godfather” in literature was that created by Mario Puzo in his novel – and while the fictitious character wasn’t an elected politician he operated exactly the same way Filipino politicians do – through personal favors that would be called in.
Banning elected officials from being “ninong” and “ninang” in weddings and baptisms of Filipinos not related to them by blood or marriage up to the second degree does not even need any congressional legislation or Comelec-administered referendum. All it needs is a directive from you all in the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Which is expected to meet at the start of every year.
There are sitting politicians who no doubt do not like the practice — and implications — of being made godfathers. But when strangers or prominent businessmen come to their office to request such a favor, how do they say “no” without angering them? So a ban will help politicians say “no” and not spend much needed money for gifts.
I don’t know about you, but I believe it will go a long way to leveling the political playing field and reducing that bond of gratitude that prevents many Filipinos from throwing out rogue politicians from office.
HighFive says
Magkaroon dapat ng batas na pwedeng kumpiskahin ng gobyerno ang mga ari-arian at pera ng isang politiko kung di maipapaliwanag kung saan galing ang yaman kahit na may ebidensya man o wala para wala ng hirap sa imbestigasyon. Ibabalik lamang ang pera o mga property kung mapapatunayan sa Korte ang source of income.
leona says
. . . c’me on…you’re addressing it to the tongressmen and senatongs!
He he he
Parekoy says
I think regulating the number of Ninong and Ninang is not the solution. It will just dent the practice patronage a bit.
We need to focus on FOI with teeth! We need to emphasize the urgency of Anti-dynasty law! We need to expose the corrupt orgy-lije relationships among the politicians, the Taipans and the paid controlled media!
These matters affect our way of life, our bondage to poverty, corruption, and injustice! These matters affect our current lives and the lives of our next generations!
We need to know our priorities!
NHerrera says
@Parekoy,
I thought about your two words: “dent” and “priority.”
Vatican’s Philippine representative and his staff must be following closely the events here, most likely reading Raissa’s Blog too. If Raissa’s present topic, along with some things about corruption, gets embedded or heavily tweaked into the (work-in-progress?) Pope’s statements and disseminated by media, that will be some dent.
On election day 2016, I believe that dent, if still is in the memory of our “isang kayud, isang tuka” voting brothers and sisters, may just change their minds on their votes. Let me amplify. I believe that our poor voters may not think highly of the statements of homilies of the the rotating Presidency of CBCP along with the Bishops, especially of the Mitsubishop kind, but the eagerly anticipated Pope Francis’ statements will carry significant weight, especially if our media outdo each other on disseminating them. (I realize, I am just painting a scenario here.)
On “priority,” I agree that we at CPM may spend some time on these and associate implementing actions — along the lines and effectiveness demonstrated, say, in Corona’s impeachment trial.
On priority, I draw a timeline and some milestones focused on the May 2016 Election. I hope it survives the format in Raissa’s comment box:
THE WAY TO GROUND ZERO
CPM’S WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANOTHER CORONA.
———Q1————Q2————-Q3————Q4————Q1————Q2————
——PA/SWS—-PA/SWS——PA/SWS—–PA/SWS——PA/SWS———————
||-//////////————2015————-|—————||—————-|————-2016–^^–||
-PFV—-BRS——-CD————CR—————————————-Ground Zero—–
Notes:
PFV — Pope Francis’ Visit
PA — Pulse Asia Survey; SWS — SWS Survey;
BRS — Blue Ribbon Subcom Inv; CD — Critical Political Decisions;
CR — COMELEC Registration by Candidates
leona says
Kung yun ‘bumper’ ng kotse mo…ay na ‘nicked’ lang. Not a dent.
Milagro nga kung it comes true.
Parekoy’s idea is like over-hauling the whole engine of life. I like it so it is like new life. Who is the good mechanic can do it?
Milagro nga kung it comes true.
Haaay! We have wonderful goals. Great dreams.
Let’s work first that VP Binay doesn’t get the presidency on 2016! And continue the travel ahead.
What’s his poll survey January 2016? Let’s hope by mid-year nasa ground zero na!
vander anievas says
i’m positive we pinoys can do it.
yan din ang dilemma natin nung 2008.
come 2009, after cory died in august 1, may pnoy na tayong pambato.
who knows, this year, baka talagang si mar na ang papalit kay pnoy!
wecandoit says
the church, the pope, the cardinals, the bishops and the priests can do a lot, a whole lot, a humongous lot to reduce corruption by supporting the thrust of the rh bill. whenever i am in church in the philippines i am awed by how the majority seems to have kept the faith and what power the pope, cardinals etc have to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. then i find myself thinking what it does to the catholic church to have so many followers. compare the picture of INC gathering and that of the quiapo devotees. from this perspective the more poor people we have, the more “mabango” the catholic church is. it seems to be of advantage to the church to have more vulnerable, desperate, hopeless and powerless people. i do hate this image of the church as being at par with the likes of erap, binay and all politicians who see the poor as source of votes rather than as object of wise governance. the pope can certainly exhort the haves to have compassion for the poor but the pope can also start a different strategy of showing compassion for the poor (1) by giving them permission to have pleasure without procreation (where else can get joy once the sun goes down), (2) by clarifying the gospels that were chosen at a time when what was needed was to multiply the tribes and (3) by clarifying the gospel that was chosen to encourage obedience therefore encouraging them to seek to be children of god rather than to think of themselves as having been made in the image of god, therefore with all the capacity that that implies. i heartily agree with raissa. the church can do a lot more to help the philippines build a nation.
Joe America says
I appreciate this point of view. It has long seemed to me that the Catholic Church of the Philippines does not hold itself accountable in any way for the make-up of the Philippines, and yet prances about the house like a huge elephant. The elephant tends to look down its long snout at we poor mortal humans as damaged goods requiring the elephant’s blessing to even feel good about ourselves.
What a different nation this would be if the Church would either pitch in to help build a progressive, confident, productive Philippines. Or sat down on a pew and stayed out of the way. Accurate self reflection and accountability are always important first steps to recasting one’s future. In that respect, Pope Francis is a welcome emissary and the CBCP a rather tone deaf host.
leona says
‘Oy! How much millions did the Church give to the Yolanda victims? Thousands? Hundreds? Ma peso?
What ‘a lot’ can they do? They play real politics too!
Money & Cross + prayers really do.
It’s like we are all living in a fiction of life. We really don’t exist except in our own minds.
But that’s how it is…
Joe America says
We are delusional, aren’t we? Self-flagellating nincompoops. How on God’s great green earth can people not spit in the pollsters’ eyes for having the audacity to ask if they would vote for a crook and liar?
filipino_mom says
@leona, i’m from leyte and we were struck by yolanda. no news about ANY relief from the catholic church. at all. the local government units would sometime store relief goods and distribute with the church’s help but as for the church actually shelling out $$$ for relief, none.
on the other hand, the much-maligned iglesia ni cristo docked several ships at the port and distirbuted relief goods there. no care as to your religious stripes. or if one family had several people in line to get their goods. they reportedly also gave cash assistance to their own members. yung mga katoliko? NGANGA!
filipino_mom says
disclosure: i’m not a member of the INC. i’m a non-believer.
leona says
‘Disclosure’ . . . you say
Many would say ‘Foreclosure’
John the Baptist baptizes when one one had a choice…one was Jesus, Son of Mary. The Lord.
The Church requires mostly that it be done a few days after birth of Catholic parents. . . poor baby – no choice.
If baptism now is done at age 18 or 30 like Jesus, more are with the INC etc., less with and in the R.C. Church. My size up.
No need to change sides…what for? There one here who did. . . he did FORECLOSED on it.
leona says
aha! …'(because I embraced Islam in 1992) – [email protected] Good for you Mac! Had a choice.
leona says
I agree, [email protected] !
I honestly believe our officials in the Church ‘invests’ the MONEY in ‘stocks, bonds, money markets, real estate, banks,’ atbpa.
The MONEY all comes from DONATIONS but never donated again for good use.
KULANGOT!
ha ha ha
josephivo says
This is the same discussion as 150 years ago. When early Marxists claimed that the rich needed the Church to keep the people stupid so the would not understand the causes of their poverty and the Church needed the rich to keep the people poor so they should look for salvation in the afterlife.
And history learned that it was not the Church that lifted the poor out of poverty in most of the developed world, but unions and “socialist” parties. After the facts they tried to recuperate with Rerum Novarem.
Mercy and compassion in the socialist movement has a total different, secular, meaning.
wecandoit says
@josephivo thank you for this historical info. it is funny but some u.s. conservatives are accusing the pope as being communist because he harps on rampart consumerism. before the discussion takes a detour to the “isms” i wish to focus on the simple idea that “loving the poor” being constant mantra from the church, is in effect saying “oy, we love you. make many more of yourselves and by golly do not do anything to get out of being poor, because we love you as you are. the more of you there is, the better for us, the more occasions for us to practice charity and compassion”. @joe america. i appreciate your comments.
JoeC says
You are exactly correct in your analysis of this corrupt political practice and that is why Binay reminded Poe in our news papers that he is her child’s Godfather lest she happens to get out-of-line and runs against him. Let us all hope she is not sentimental.
moonie says
son may even tell grace to be nice to his ninong, be accommodating. that if ninong ask her to run as his vice, she must say yes, else lalayas siya and will come to live with ninong in his mansion. it’s possible son is head strong as grace once was in her younger days.
raissa says
hey I forgot about that.
thanks for reminding me.
and all of us.
jorge bernas says
@ JoeC,
Kaya pala tahimik si Grace sa Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee Hearing dahil Takot o nagbabayad Utang… Sana gawin ni Grace ang ginawa nito kay PNP Chief Purisima at nang malaman natin na wala itong kinikilingan maging sino man? Do your JOB for Us taxpayers Grace and not to some? please naman…
macspeed says
Ninong or Ninang is supposed to be an Honor. When I was just working in Philippine with salary just enough to make ends meet,. I only have one inaanak. Now that I have work for years in Saudi Arabia, my god children have increase to 7…its not the religion (because I embraced Islam in 1992), I think its the riches the parents thought of. Si ganito matagal na sa abroad dami na salapi, or si ano dami asyenda, dami na salapi…
Parents cannot be blamed for the selection, their children needs future assistance and the only one who can do that are those able to help somehow as simple money or schooling…that is the “FAVOR”…
No one can deny a request from a parent to be a Godfather or Godmother. It is an Honor….and it is a Holy act…however, Raissa is right, Politics should not be allowed to be a Godfather or Godmother during their term. This will minimize FAVOR during Election time.
The big question is, why do professionals run for a position in Politics? Simple answer: “There are money in the Political Position”. The existing system were for corruptions, in order to corrupt, one should have ninong or ninang, the trend was so great that there were robbing here and there….
Well not for now, the new system introduced by PNOY started demolishing the barricades of corruptions he he he the new line-ups of Senators and Congressmen are still subject to temptations but jailed professionals such as Chief Justice Corona, Senators Jinggoy, Revilla and Enrile made them think twice to skip adulterating the Peoples money….
Ninong and Ninang will still be there as long as there are poor parents, however corruptions will be less if they are not politicians….
baycas says
On Baptism…
Code of Canon Law here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2Y.HTM
raissa says
Really?
The priests themselves don’t tell that to the people.
But Baycas, you’re reading from the “archives”. Old. Maybe shelved. Like the statues in Rome.
baycas says
1983 Code of Canon Law:
http://juiciobrennan.com/files/bishopselection/code_of_canon_law_1983.pdf
Rene-Ipil says
Right, Baycas. All my children have husband and wife as sponsor or only one sponsor if still single. In one of my children, husband and wife were listed as sponsors plus a single, female close relative who volunteered. The priest did not allow two female sponsors and I chose to remove the wife’s name. Anyway, our tradition makes both husband and wife godparents even if only one of them stood as sponsor.
leona says
. . . that’s probably the reason WHY the YOUTH now do not even know who Marcos was; maybe as a result of BAPTISM under the present set up:
‘I baptize you in the name of congressman Yokyok, of the governor Yakyak and of the treacherous dynasties!’
So, what this baby grows up into? Another mayor Noknok!
And all this baby’s NINONGS & NINANGS 15 Pairs in all, are the ‘god-fathers/god-mothers’ of this YOUTH in years to come. Could become another Vice Mayor Shakshak.
. . . if it doesn’t happen, but otherwise good – Milagro nga if it come true.
Rene-Ipil says
“Please remember that the most famous “godfather” in literature was that created by Mario Puzo in his novel – and while the fictitious character wasn’t an elected politician he operated exactly the same way Filipino politicians do – through personal favors that would be called in.”
I beg to disagree. That is a great insult to Don Vito Corleone.
Don Vito Corleone was an “honorable man” compared to many Filipino politicians such as Macoy, Gloria, Erap, Tanda, Sexy, Pogi, Jojo, etc. As portrayed by Mario Puzo:
1. Don Vito always honored his words given to friends and foes.
2. He never indulged in drug trafficking.
3. He was devoted to his wife and real family.
4. He never stole money from government coffer.
5. He was not greedy.
6. He was a godfather who really took care of his godsons.
On one hand, our politicians would surely collect the debt of gratitude they endowed. On the other hand Don Vito, according to Puzo, just helped his friends but was not sure to “call in” such favors. He even warned his friends that “that time may never come.”
raissa says
Hmmm.
Marmee says
Re Don Vito Corleone: He was also a fictional character, so it was easier to endow him with some “noble” traits.
Rene-Ipil says
Right, you are. But although our politicians are real, it is easier to find “ignoble” character in them. In fact they even flaunt it as a badge of (dis)honor.
Rene-Ipil says
Jojo’s Hacienda Binay and women. Erap’s women and Velarde account. Tanda’s Kahoy and Gigi. Sexy’s P120M mansion. Pogi’s bank accounts. Just the tip of the mound.
leona says
[email protected]…but why did members of Mafia carry GUNS? For what? Or what for? To defend? Against what? The competition for acquiring money?
In short, what was the GANG-LAND WAR for among themselves? Just curious about your 1-to-6 portraits based on the Puzo book.
Rene-Ipil says
This morning the parish priest in our place talked about the importance of baptism. Maybe the priest is a CPMer or has read Raissa’s present article in her blog.
The priest said: “Ang binyag ay siyang susi tungo sa tahanan ng Diyos.” And that Jesus Christ started the practice with his own baptism by John.
Jesus had no godfather or godmother or any sponsor that funded his baptism.
But the Roman Catholic Church corrupted the concept of baptism by requiring godfathers and godmothers to sponsor the rites and profited immensely from the “business.”
Several decades ago the church allowed only a couple to stand as godparents. But now a dozen couple is a normal occurrence and are usually given envelopes for their respective donations to the church. Very profitable indeed.
vander anievas says
so we now have several branches of biz.
showbiz, pollbiz, faithbiz.
these added to the growing number of our LORDS.
Joe America says
Ha, vibrant sectors of the Philippine economy. Maybe S&P will consider that for a ratings upgrade.
raissa says
:)
baycas says
In the current liturgical year the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated today.
The Christmas season officially ends today.
Rene-Ipil says
That’s it. Thank you, Baycas.
duquemarino says
@Rene-Ipil, tama ka. May policy rin ang Catholic church dito sa amin para sa isang pares lang ng principal sponsors (isang ninong at isang ninang) pero meron pa ring secondary sponsors kaya dumarami ang “ninong-ninang” at tinotolerate na rin ng simbahan. Perhaps the secondary sponsors who sign their names on the attached white bond paper do not know that they are not included in the officially recognized sponsor/s. From what I undertand only those names appearing on the marriage contract are the recognized sponsors.
Dagdag pakimkim kasi yung more sponsors, for the newly weds he he he.
baycas says
In the case of Baptism, only two godparents are placed in the baptismal registry as official sponsors even though multiple sponsors witnessed the baptism rite. Those two godparents possess the official obligation of being sponsors as prescribed in the Canon Law.
leona says
[email protected]…St. John the Baptist, a baptizer, only got wet every time he baptizes someone. No money he got. Not mentioned in the Bible.
But he was fully satisfied with his work. A mission for God. His faith in God.
He had nothing almost except a bag of honey, dusty shoes, hood for cover of his head and a stick to help him walk all the way up to his cave-mansion in a mountain nearby.
Became a Saint. Loved by Jesus. Beheaded by Herodias Caiphas as a gift to Salome the daughter based on a stupid promise by her father.
Now, we witness a TRUCK LOAD of NINONGS and NINANGS…the more the MERRIER. As you said very PROFITABLE.
50 Golden Wedding Anniversaries…more NINONGS and NINANGS again! The rich the better. Big WIGS. VIP politicians. Again, more and much PROFITABLE for the Church and the bishops and/or priests.
Good business indeed. Raissa proposes to stop this practice.I agree too. But I believe we may get crosses thrown at us!
And get wet with the holy waters too!
Only a miracle may it come true.
Edgar Lores says
This. This is a fantastic idea.
And coming from a daughter of the Church, makes it awesome.
The idea cuts across several undesirable cultural traits. Apart from the aforementioned political patronage, favoritism, and corruption (to buy gifts and extend munificence), there are utang na loob, extended kinship by affiliation, unquestioning obedience to elders, and excessive religious conformity (although a lot will disagree on this last one).
josephivo says
The church is master in adapting local values and customs. In our country a godfather and a godmother are unique as expressed in the word father or mother, not uncle or aunty. They are the two people at baptism who sign the register as witnesses and they officially guarantee a catholic upbringing of the child in case the parents pass away or fail in their catholic parenting responsibilities. There used to be a strict tradition in selecting godparents starting with the grandparents over the siblings of the parents and when all those where exhausted to family friends. Godparents gave presents to their godchildren until confirmation, when the child is supposed to take responsibility for its own religious decisions. From then on godchildren gave presents, usually sweets, to their godparents as a sign of independence and gratitude. This all made a lot of sense to me, so I’m totally confused with the Filipino interpretation of this godparent institution. (as I am with superstition, believing in other supernatural powers than those of the One God revealed in the bible, a mortal sin…)
Having to accept money from someone else to organize something you are responsible for is very shameful in my country. Having to accept sponsors for a wedding would be a very, very shameful situation, it would never be made public.
As always too much of a good thing is bad. We are often too individualistic, here people are often too dependent. So the discussion should be about exaggeration. 9 bishops with busloads of priests at a wedding or the wealthy needing dozens of sponsors are certainly exaggerations. And yes, the bishops should evaluate how far they can go in incorporating local traditions in their religious doctrine without compromising the essence of the mission of the Catholic Church. Isn’t Pope Francis promoting a more sober church?
leona says
[email protected] …the church is MASTER in creating/manipulating universal/local values, customs, practices…name it they can do it !
It’s ALL BUSINESS! If it doesn’t do it like that, do you think the church is still around …for 2000 years + now?
The church is super rich, mega rich, when it comes to MONEY and it’s ASSETS. How much did the church give the YOLANDA VICTIMS? Did you hear it gave? So, I haven’t heard it did.
Imagine, in the history of St. Francis De Assisi, he was thrown out of his own church after lambasting his left-behind care takers why the contents of the church was now SO RICH! I saw the movie. I hope I was not duped on the movie.
It’s ALL BUSINESS. I don’t see it in the other way. Big churches, Big residences of BIG wigs in the church. Of course some faithful lowly priests in far away places lives in a small room. Never heard by the bishop. No money also. Pity a poor priest.
It’s all like that. Good life, rich life, wonderful superb life…licking pays off. A shy priest, a really faithful to God priest is a poor priest. They are many in numbers too around the country.
One experience I encountered, a nun came to me, crying. She told me that all the ‘donations’ of money she worked on, deposited jointly in the bank with the bishop, she found out was now gone. Bishop claimed it belongs to the Diocese. I told her next time you deposit, no joint account with anybody. I think she followed my sermon/homily. ha ha ha She never came back to me.
ha ha ha She must be monied now. Both of them are still around…yea.
Joe America says
Bingo. What a great way to cut right to the problem in a culture of impunity that stifles good works in favor of favor. Debts are created and paid later in some other form. The practice is exactly the same as gift-giving, which imposes a sense of obligation on the recipient. Both should be banned. This one is even more troublesome because the binding is often deeply emotional..
baycas says
Things to do:
On the part of RCC, pastoral action…
On the part of the State, legislation…
Improve R.A. 6713.
baycas says
Author on the ‘pastoral action’:
Joe America says
Gadzooks, 1997.
I think it would be more wholesome if we took the Pope’s wisdom into consideration and changed the words in the last paragraph to read:
“They should be taught how to evaluate their options in politics to see whether or not they are in accord with the teachings of Christ.”
The problem today seems that many representatives of the Church are wayward when it comes to Christ’s teachings. That’s true in the Rome administrative structure, too, something the Pope is working diligently to correct. Priests are too often too human.
baycas says
True, @Joe, on the ‘wayward’ thing.
And too Filipino, too…
As @Buddy said at #12:
Reformation is what the Philippines need.
Leaders, both in Church (as a whole) and State, ought to make examples of themselves. Yes, we have to remind them all the time.
But, at this point, to be unFilipino is to also start the change from within ourselves.
baycas says
Philippines needs “Change for the better,” of course…
Joe America says
I’m reluctant to say it, but I sometimes think personal accountability is unFilipino . . .
baycas says
I tend to believe that too.
balayang says
RANTING AND RAVING : ALWAYS GOOD FOR THE SOUL, BUT FOR THE ĆβĈP ?????? YET. I STILL KEEP MY FINGERS
CROSSED AND h o p e till hope f . . .a . . . d . .. e. . . .s away
baycas says
Ban they can…
baycas says
But it has to be proved first that ‘sponsorship’ is anti-Christian.
Johnny Lin says
admitted Masons are no longer considered Catholics. maybe some were, before converting to Mason. not different from changing citizenship, swear allegiance upon switching.
To enjoy the privileges of being Catholic they have to revert back with the approval of parish priest. of course they can practice the faith clandestinely in areas where nobody knows them.
Joe America says
I’d like to see the ban come from the government side. It is exactly the same as receiving gifts, creating an obligation to put motives other than the people’s best interests into state decisions. If politicians displayed ethical courage and honor, then it would not be a problem. But they don’t, the case being that Binay is allowed to run for President and the Ethics Committee of the Senate did not even meet for the plunderers in their ranks. They for sure would not agree with self policing who they can be Godfather for, or who they can give away in marriage. So I know I am naive. But the principle is there. Creating personal obligations preserves the culture of impunity, and favoritism over productivity and good decisions.
The_Filozopher says
I tend to think elections should be done away with. Sortotion of well qualified & impartial lawmakers & subjecting their output to popular ratification seems better to me.
Tony Norona Jr. says
Getting a “ninong or ninang” to some is a way of some Filipinos to be close to the rich and famous; that someday in one way or another he/she could ask a favor from their “ninong or ninang”. This is unless the “ninong or ninang” are closely related or long time friend. Case in point are those that you mentioned above.
pinay710 says
noong panahon namin 1 ninong 1 ninang at kapatid pa ng asawa ko ang ninang, yan ay pagdating sa simbahan. PERO sa harap ng bote, ang daming ninong ng anak namin. lahat ng kainuman barkada ninong ng anak namin.
sa opisina noong decada 70 karamihan ng mga empleyado inaanak ng mga senador. yung isa namin director inaanak ni marcos sa kasala kaya dios diosan sya sa opisina. yung director na yun abusado at nanghihiya pa ng mga emplyedo nya.(sumalangit ? nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa) pero walang makaangal kasi nga inaanak ng dictador.
yung ibang emplyedo mga pasok ng mga inaanak ng mga politiko kaya mas nauuna pa silang umangat ng puesto kesa sa mga tumanda na sa serbisyo. at sila pa yung mga tamad at puro palya sa pagpasok sa trabaho. EH PASENSYA NA LANG ANG MGA WALANG NINONG NA POLITIKO. MANIGAS KA PAGTANDA NA CLERK KA PA DIN KASI WALA KA NINONG NA POLITIKO.
baycas says
Trivia…
Inaanak: “Ninong, aNOYntment please…”
Rolly says
For sure, he will be PNoynted.
baycas says
A goddaughter’s lamentation…
baycas says
https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2014/0827_binay2.asp